FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2010 SPECIAL SECTION NEWSOK.COM/VARSITY
VARSITY 2010
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW: NORMAN EDITION
NORMAN NORTH | THE TIMBERWOLVES ARE STOCKED WITH RUNNING BACKS. PAGE 2
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NORMAN | THE TIGERS’ TRIO OF STANDOUTS IS READY TO TURN THINGS AROUND. PAGE 4 PURCELL | QUARTERBACK COLE SWAYZE AND THE DRAGONS ARE GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER PLAYOFF RUN. PAGE 6
From left; Donovan Roberts and Jaime Myers of Norman High and Daniel Davis and Emilio Gatewood of Norman North.
PHOTO BY STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Norman North stocked with running backs BY JUSTIN HARPER Staff Writer jharper@opubco.com
NORMAN — How good is Norman North’s crew of running backs? Consider this: One of them ran for almost 2,000 yards last year and already has a Division I-A offer, but isn’t listed as the starter. Emilio Gatewood, a senior move-in from Millwood tops the depth chart at one of the cornerback spots on defense, but he’s just one of several standout runners in the backfield mix. Senior Raymond Demby came out of spring listed as the starter at tailback, but Gatewood, sophomore Bryan Payne and senior Daniel Davis will also tote the ball regularly for the T-
Wolves. Gatewood, a 5-8, 175pound scatback with tremendous strength, started the last two seasons at Millwood, rushing for more than 1,000 yards each season. He compiled more than 1,900 yards to go with 25 touchdowns in 2009. Demby is a 6-0, 200pounder who physically looks more like a college player than a high schooler. He’s coming off a knee injury that sidelined him for the final five games of the season last year. But in the games he played, Demby showed flashes of greatness. “We call them thunder and lightning, with Ray being the thunder and Emilio the lightning,” said Davis, one of the state’s top
defensive ends. “They’re both really good. They’re going to cause a lot of problems for any defense.” Davis, who has committed to Stanford, will help cause problems for foes out of the backfield, too. He’ll see time at fullback and tailback, while also splitting out wide as a receiver and playing tight end. Payne stands just 5-7 and weighs 155 pounds, but as he demonstrated in the spring, he’s hard to even touch when he gets going, let alone tackle. Even with such a surplus of talented backs sharing the carries, look for Gatewood to continue his game-breaking ways that have been on display at Millwood. He’s being looked at by Tulsa, Loui-
Norman North’s Raymond Demby was sidelined with a knee injury for the final five games of last season. PHOTO BY
STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMAN
siana Tech and Oregon State and is one of those rare players who fans grow to expect something exciting from any time he gets the ball.
“It was a big change coming here,” Gatewood said of his move to Norman North. “The conditioning and weight lifting is a lot different than what
I was used to, a lot harder. That should make me better, though, so that’s good. Football is football, so the playing part of it has gone pretty well.”
Norman trio ready to turn things around BY JUSTIN HARPER Staff Writer jharper@opubco.com
NORMAN — The weapons are many. Now, so too, could be the wins. Norman heads into the 2010 season with some of the best players in Class 6A, a fact that should put an end to three consecutive losing seasons. In running back Donovan Roberts, linebacker Greg Offenburger and doit-all standout Jaime Myers, the Tigers have an elite triumvirate few schools can match. Roberts, who emerged as the starter at the end of his freshman season, ran for more than 1,000 yards last year as a sophomore. The 6-1, 205-pounder is a battering ram with moves, and Norman will feed him the ball a lot. In Myers, the Tigers have an explosive playmaker who has scored touchdowns on receptions, runs, kick returns and interception returns. The 5-10, 190pound senior may be getting more college looks as a defensive back, but he’s as dangerous as anyone in 6A with the ball in his hands in the open field.
Norman’s Jaime Myers, left, brings down Del City’s Greg Johnson during a 2009 game.
As for Offenburger, the senior is a three-year starter who averaged more than 10 tackles per game last season. At 6-2, 225, Offenburger has the size, athletic ability and definitely the attitude to create collisions all over the field. What’s more, David Nelson and Stephan McElroy are also terrific linebackers, giving Norman perhaps the best corps in 6A. “Oh, for sure. There’s no doubt,” Offenburger said. “We’re all three pretty smart and know the game. And we just have a feel for where the ball is.” Norman needs to replace Chad Johnson at quarterback, but has a good group of candidates. One who has drawn a lot of interest is sophomore Zach Long, the son of former NFL player and OU offensive coordinator Chuck Long. Heading into coach Greg Nation’s third season, there’s a different feel among the players. “The past two years have been rebuilding years,” Offenburger said. “This year, we’re coming together more as a team and playing together more. We all have each other’s back out there.”
PHOTO BY STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
Q&A
With Blanchard senior QB Zach Ray Your team made the playoffs and went 8-4 last season, and that team was coming off a playoff berth in 2008. Can breakthrough seasons like that continue to build the program this season and beyond? “It definitely builds the program. Pretty much, we have had a great group of seniors the past two years. That sums it up the best. Last year’s group was especially athletic. This year we definitely have some lead-
ers among the seniors. And that makes all the difference when you have seniors with a good head on their shoulders.” How did you get started playing football? “I started in Little League, I think I was in fourth grade. But I ended up playing up a grade with a 12-andunder team because I was bigger than everyone else. It was a good way to start, I guess.” Does any one game of your career stand out more than others? “My sophomore year against Cascia Hall. We went up to Tulsa to play
them. We ended up losing to them in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. It’s kind of weird that I would remember a loss instead of a win, but the atmosphere up there and being in the playoffs, it just seemed huge. And the guy I was switching out with got knocked out and I played the rest of the game. So that game stands out a lot. What game gets you fired up every time you look at the schedule? “Tuttle. I love playing those guys. They’re an old rivalry from years past. That’s always a fun game to
play. Last year didn’t go the way we wanted it to, though. We’re definitely ready for Tuttle this year.” When you look ahead to the season, what are the things you want to accomplish? “The past couple of years we finished in the third or fourth spot in the district. So winning the district is definitely up there. And, of course, make the playoffs again. We’ve lost in the second round the last two years, so getting past that round is also big.” BY JUSTIN HARPER
Zach Ray Blanchard senior quarterback
Q&A
With Bridge Creek QB Ryan Spangler At 6-foot-8, you won’t find a taller quarterback than Bridge Creek’s Ryan Spangler. A star in football and basketball, the senior has been a big part of the Bobcats’ recent success. You’re at a football camp one day, a top basketball event the next. How tough has it been to find some balance this summer? It has been tough, but I’ve grown up always playing different sports. It does some time feel like it’s a new sport each day. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. What makes this offense so explosive? It’s the total package. We have a line that does a great job blocking and giving me time. We have receivers that it feels like have never dropped a ball in their career. And
we have everybody back. How much fun is it to play in this type of offense? It’s a blast. It feels like we can chunk it around and run our offense against anybody, doesn’t matter who we play. We feel we have the total package. A move to 3A, any worries there? No, it’s going to be a great challenge. That’s what you want, a chance to play against the best. We’re definitely going to have that this year. You’re a pretty big basketball prospect as well, how is that going for you? The summer was very exciting. I’m up to 11 offers now. I love football, don’t get me wrong, but my first choice is definitely basketball. Gonzaga, Penn State and TCU have been some of my latest offers. BY ROBERT PRZYBYLO
High school football TV schedule Cox Communications (Cox 3) and KSBI (Cox 7) are back once again to showcase some of the top high school football games this year. The stations are televising a combined 36 contests. Week 1 Thursday, Sept. 2 — Douglass at McGuinness (Cox); Heritage Hall at Casady (KSBI) Friday, Sept. 3 — Bixby at Jenks (Cox); Clinton at Weatherford (KSBI) Week 2 Thursday, Sept. 9 — Yukon at Edmond Santa Fe (Cox); Del City at Norman North (KSBI) Friday, Sept. 10 — Jenks at Tulsa Union (Cox); Putnam City North at Mustang (KSBI) Week 3 Thursday, Sept. 16 — Tulsa Washington at Tulsa East Central (Cox); Norman North at Westmoore (KSBI) Friday, Sept. 17 — Mustang at Bixby (Cox); Edmond Santa Fe at Midwest City (KSBI) Week 4 Thursday, Sept. 23 — Del City at Edmond North (Cox) Friday, Sept. 24 — Claremore at Coweta (Cox); Newcastle at Kingfisher (KSBI) Week 5 Thursday, Sept. 30 — Sapulpa at South-
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moore (Cox); Shawnee at Norman (KSBI) Friday, Oct. 1 — Midwest City at Putnam City North (Cox); Norman North at Yukon (KSBI) Week 6 Thursday, Oct. 7 — Tulsa NOAH at Bethany (Cox); Edmond North at Putnam City (KSBI) Friday, Oct. 8 — Cascia Hall at Berryhill (Cox); Norman at Southmoore (KSBI) Week 7 Thursday, Oct. 14 — Norman North at Moore (Cox) Friday, Oct. 15 — Guthrie at Carl Albert (Cox); Putnam City at Mustang (KSBI) Week 8 Thursday, Oct. 21 — Owasso at Bixby (Cox); Jenks at Southmoore (KSBI) Friday, Oct. 22 — TBA (Cox); El Reno at Guthrie (KSBI) Week 9 Thursday, Oct. 28 — Norman North at Edmond Memorial (Cox) Friday, Oct. 29 — Broken Arrow at Jenks (Cox); Muskogee at Norman (KSBI) Week 10 Thursday, Nov. 4 — Yukon at Edmond Memorial (Cox) Friday, Nov. 5 — TBA (Cox); Midwest City at Norman North (KSBI)
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Bridge Creek quarterback Ryan Spangler, who is 6foot-8, has 11 offers from colleges to play basketball. PHOTO BY
STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Purcell, Swayze gearing up for another run BY JUSTIN HARPER Staff Writer jharper@opubco.com
PURCELL — Few programs have been as consistently strong as Purcell over the past decade. Fact is, the Dragons have made the playoffs for 10 consecutive years. This season almost certainly will be no different in terms of making the postseason. Although it might be different in a good way: The Dragons may go further than they have since the streak started. With sensational quarterback Cole Swayze and bigtime running back Damien Shea, Purcell may have the most potent rushing combination in 3A. Both ran for more than 1,000 yards last season. Swayze, a junior, is in his third year as a starter, and
coach Mike Wilson expects the QB to be even better than he has been. That’s saying a lot. “Well, hopefully we’re going to be a little more versatile this year with the way Cole has been throwing the ball,” Wilson said. “He’s gotten a lot better and he really threw the ball well in our scrimmage.” Purcell has several strong receivers, including Hunter Marcum, a senior who has seen extensive action since his freshman season. Six starters return on offense, which will also aid Swayze, who has the demeanor of a senior. “He’s a junior and he’s already started 21 games,” Wilson said. “He’s definitely a leader on the football team. You don’t see panic in his eyes ever. He’s cool and collected and understands the
game really well.” The Dragons lost to eventual champion Cascia Hall in the playoffs — a defeat that snapped a seven-game winning streak. Wilson said Cascia Hall has all the tools to repeat in 3A. But having seen the team last season, these Purcell players know what level they have to get to if they expect to take the gold ball. “Everyone else is going to have to rise up to them because they’re not going to fall back to the pack,” Wilson said. “I think we’re athletic enough (to contend). I think we have to prove ourselves up front, though. We saw in the first scrimmage that we have a lot of things to work on on the offensive line. Fortunately most of those things were correctable. Coaching-wise, you can fix that.”
Purcell’s Hunter Marcum, right, attempts to catch a pass as Elgin’s Jason Butler defends him during a 2009 game. Marcum, now a senior, has seen playing time since he was a freshman. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
Tuttle expectations remain high BY JUSTIN HARPER Staff Writer jharper@opubco.com
TUTTLE — When your history and tradition is as stout as Tuttle football’s, it’s a lot harder to come away from a season satisfied. Example A is last season. The 2009 Tigers went 11-1. Eleven wins in 12 games? That should make anyone happy. Right? “Well, it’s actually kind of frustrating to look back at last season,” said senior Mark Legako. “We had a great season up to the point we lost. To end on that note is never good. But it fires us up for this season.” That’s bad news for opponents. Outside of the surprising 40-14 loss to SequoyahClaremore in the Class 3A semifinals, the Tigers didn’t just beat people, they throt-
tled them. On offense, Tuttle ran for 2,648 yards, averaged 312.2 yards of total offense and 34.0 points per game. Defensively, the Tigers held nine foes to a touchdown or less and allowed an average of just 5.2 points per game. Seven starters, including Legako, return on defense, which means there should be little or no drop-off. “We’re returning quite a few people,” said Legako, a cornerback and receiver. “We’ll be good. We might even be better than last year.” Graduated Ethan Biddy, Tuttle’s little dynamo of a running back, will be very tough to replace on offense. But with quarterback Tanner Koons back at the helm, no one is worried. Koons ran for six touchdowns while averaging 6.5
yards per carry a year ago. And while the Tigers employ a ground-oriented, run-first offense, when they did pass in 2009, Koons was extremely successful. The 6-1, 182pounder completed 50 of 86 tosses for 787 yards and seven touchdowns. With other standouts such as Dylan Coppenbarger, Anderson Depee and Brody Sims figuring to make a sizable impact, Tuttle is in good position to do what it seemingly does every season — contend for a state championship. “That’s what you grow up expecting to do here,” Legako said. “I remember watching the high school players when I was a kid and thinking they were the greatest and thinking they never lost. Now it’s our turn to live up to that for all the little kids who are watching us.”
SECTION PRODUCTION
Sports editor: Mike Sher›man Assistant sports editors: ›Scott Munn, Hayley Riggs, Ryan Sharp and Darla Smith Writers: Justin Harper, Robert Przybylo and Scott Wright Design: Hayley Riggs Cover: Donovan Roberts, Jaime Myers, Daniel Davis, and Emilio Gatewood. Photo by Steve Sisney, design by Phillip Baeza
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HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW SECTION Pick up Sunday’s Oklahoman for our 2010 high school preview section, where you can find schedules for every team in the state and rankings for every class.
MORE ONLINE Tuttle quarterback Tanner Koons completed 50 of 86 passes for 787 yards and seven touchdowns last season. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
Follow the action at ›NewsOK.com/varsity. Follow us on twitter at ›@HSVarsity
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK
Dibble hungry for more success When Charley North took the head coaching job at Dibble in 2009, they were coming off an 0-10 season in 2008 and a 1-9 season in 2007. Last season under North the Demons went 3-7, but he doesn’t attribute their success to a new offensive scheme or longer hours in the gym. “We just worked hard and tried to take advantage of every opportunity we had,” North said. “We told our kids to play hard and have fun, and that’s what we did.” After winning 3 games last year, Dibble players will want more this season and have the tools to make that happen. They return eight starters on both sides of the ball. Leading rusher Seth Hamby, a junior, will be in the backfield again after running for 400 yards last season. All-District punter
Ryan Keely returns as well. On the defensive side of the ball, junior lineman 6-foot-3, 275-pound Jeremy Cunningham also returns.
MINCO’S NUMBERS, PROSPECTS GROWING Clint Warren faced some challenges when he took the job as Minco’s football coach. It was his first headcoaching job, there weren’t many kids signed up to play and they hadn’t had a good workout schedule. Those hardships led to a difficult year for the Bulldogs, as they struggled to a 3-7 record. Warren has higher expectations for his second year on the job. “We’ve really improved in the weight room and at the team camps we’ve gone to,” he said. “Hopefully all that work will pay off once the season gets here.” The program has grown in Warren’s time. He had 26 players show up for regular 6:30 a.m. workouts, more than ever before.
“They’ve had to learn to do some stuff they’ve never done,” Warren said. “But the ones I’ve had there have responded tremendously to everything we’ve asked them to do.”
ROYALS LOOK TO REPEAT If ever a team looked primed to repeat a championship season, it’s Community Christian. Coming off an 11-0 season in which it won the Oklahoma Christian Schools Athletic Association football crown, the Royals have eight starters back on each side of the ball. Former Oklahoma and NFL player Josh Norman enters his second season as Community Christian head coach. Among the many starters he has back are quarterback Scott Seymour and linebacker Beau Potter, both of whom are have shown All-State potential. BY JUSTIN HARPER, TARIQ LEE AND CORBIN HOSLER
Q&A
With Noble LB John Whitlock Your big brother, Colby Whitlock, is entering his senior season playing at Texas Tech. Was it an advantage having a future Big 12 football player in the house when you were a kid? “Fighting with him the whole time I was growing up definitely toughened me up. And now, going to all those Texas Tech games, it makes me want to play college football even more. It really drives me to be better.” Noble has a new coach this season — sort of — as Steve Barrett, who coached at Noble from 2002-04 and reached the playoffs each season, is
back at the helm. Can you get back to the success he had before? “Definitely. Everybody around the locker room has a different attitude and outlook on everything. Everyone is working harder and expecting to do their best. It’s going to be a lot better.” After losing to Tecumseh by a point last year, are you anxious for the rematch in the season opener? “That’s the game I’m looking forward to the most. We kind of have a little bit of a rivalry going on. But after last year, when they beat us 21-20, we really can’t wait to play them again. Going into halftime, we were up 20-0. We won’t let things like that happen anymore.
At 5-9, 205, pounds you’re not quite as big as your brother (6-3, 294), so defensive line doesn’t appear to be in your future. What position would you play if you had your choice? “I love the position I play — linebacker. I definitely like to hit people and I’ve been playing linebacker all my life starting in Little League.” Speaking of Little League, isn’t it true that you got a head start on your football career? “Yeah, my dad coached my brother in Little League and I started playing football when I was four. I played on an eight-andunder football when I was four. That toughened me up, too.” BY JUSTIN HARPER
Q&A
Q&A
With Washington QB Dakota Treat Will having a season as a starter under your belt make everything seem more comfortable as a senior? Definitely. I saw a lot of things last year and learned a lot. It’s going to be a great season because I know how to handle things better and I won’t be over-thinking things. I’ll just react and play more on instinct. That’s a good feeling to have. You have a new coach this season in Brad Beller, who took over for Dennis McCray. Is that going to mean a lot of new things to learn? Actually, Coach Beller played for Coach McCray at
Dakota Treat Washington senior QB
Washington. So we’re running the same plays, using the same terminology. It’s been a real easy adjustment because most everything is the same or close to the same. Does having a former Washington player as your coach instill more of a sense of pride? Yes. He’s the prefect fit for us. If anyone should have gotten the job, it was
Coach Beller. The town is really excited because they can remember watching him play. And we know he’s done what we’re doing now, been where we are now, which makes everything seem real comfortable. You’ve drawn the interest of Ivy League schools Yale, Dartmouth and Brown, as well as Central Oklahoma in regards to continuing your football career in college. Are you leaning toward going far away for school or staying close to home? That’s tough to say. It’s really a good situation because (the Ivy League schools) are such good academic schools and would be a great opportunity. But UCO is close and I’d be able to play in front of
my friends and family. I think it will work out great either way I go. You were solid all of last season, passing for more than 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns. But you really came on as the season progressed and the team won six of its last seven games. The game that really stuck with me was our loss to Bethany. We were down 13-6 at the end of the game and drove down and scored. We went for two and didn’t get in the end zone by less than a yard or so. That game made me realize how close the difference between winning and losing can be. We ended up having three more games decided by one point and we won them all.
BY JUSTIN HARPER
MOORE AREA NOTEBOOK
SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN LOOKS TO CONTEND Thanks to a bulked-up line and newfound confidence from a recent scrimmage, Southwest Christian players are expecting big things this season. “We scrimmaged Destiny Christian and at one point it was 38-8,” said Garth Branch, a senior receiver and strong safety. “We looked at that and realized we can really do something this year. So many peo-
How did you get started playing football? I was about six years old and I was always watching it on TV. I really liked it, so my dad asked me if I wanted to play. I said yes. You’re a standout defensive back, but is there a position other than corner you wish you could play? I wish I was big enough to play linebacker or defensive end, but I’m too small for that. As a three-year starter, what will be different now that you’re a senior? It seems like this season will be a lot easier, and I can help out the other kids on
With Western Heights RB Darius Young
Jameson Ballinger Santa Fe South quarterback
the team. I feel real comfortable. What game are you looking forward to most this season? Probably Tuttle. I’m definitely looking forward to that game. We’ve been rivals with them for a long time. It’s always a big game. What goals have you set for yourself this season? To get about six or seven interceptions and help our team make the playoffs. Out of all of your big hits, does one stand out the most? My sophomore year, we were playing Cache, and right before halftime this guy had a 10-yard out. I hit him so hard that my shoulders hurt for a couple of days after that. BY JUSTIN HARPER
Q&A
Santa Fe South could surprise In quarterback Jameson Ballinger, Santa Fe South has an allstar caliber player who would vie for a starting spot at many of the metro’s larger schools. The 6-3, 190pound senior passed for 1,850 yards and 15 touchdowns for a Saints team that finished 2-8 in 2009. The Saints expect the win total to increase this season. And with Ballinger having a year of experience and feeling comfortable running the offense, that’s a real possibility. Regardless, the Saints’ passing game should certainly be formidable. Ballinger’s favorite target, Abraham Luna, is back for his junior season after catching 40 passes and scoring nine touchdowns.
With Newcastle senior CB Jeremy McDade
Andrew Aguilar Garth Branch Mount St. Mary’s Southwest Christian receiver/strong safety linebacker
ple on the team have amazing skills. I think we can win state.” To do that, the Eagles will likely have to go through defending OCSAA champion Community Christian. “That’s our biggest rivalry,” Branch said. “We’ve never beaten CCS before. But we’ve never had an offensive line like we do now. Last year our centers and guards were like 150 pounds going up against 230-pound guys. Now we have some size, too.”
AGUILAR A DOUBLE THREAT FOR ROCKETS Mount St. Mary’s Andrew Aguilar will be causing problems for opponents on both sides of the ball after having his role increased on offense
and defense. Formerly an outside linebacker, Aguilar has moved to inside linebacker. And on offense, the onetime third or fourth option is now one of the primary targets. “I’m more of a hit-first kind of person, so linebacker is my favorite position,” Aguilar said. “I always try to lead the team in tackles (for the season), but my goal this year is to lead in every game we play.” As for his wideout responsibilities: “Last year we had a bunch of older players who were our main targets, and I was always the fallback. Like if we needed someone to catch a pass when everyone else is doubleteamed, you can look for me. This year I can be the guy getting double-teamed. I like that a lot.” BY JUSTIN HARPER
You’ve got some talented players like quarterback Kenneth Mayfield and some good linemen back on offense. How do you see things turning out on that side of the ball? The offense should be pretty good with a whole bunch of skill kids and the quarterback coming back. We should be explosive. You’re about 5-foot-7 and 205 pounds. Are you more of a power runner or a speed guy? I do a little bit of everything. I can run hard in the middle or get outside and try to make guys miss. Do you have a goal for number of wins this season, or are you just looking to be in every game and see what happens? I hope we can be in every game. Maybe we can go .500 at least, get better every year. Maybe this year or next year, make the playoffs. You’re also a linebacker. Which side of the ball is the strength of the team?
Darius Young Western Heights running back
With the skill kids we have coming back on offense, that’s a tough decision, but I’d have to say the defense. The defense will have to step up and stop people. We’re playing a 3-4 because of all the skill kids we have. Trying to get more linebackers and DBs on the field. Do you like playing offense or defense better? I like offense a lot better. This will be my first year playing defense, even though I could’ve before. They chose not to. What’s it like playing for coach Kevin Ball? He’s very enthusiastic. He wants the best for his players. He just wants all his players to invest just like he’s invested. He puts all his time in to get the team better and he wants us to do the same thing. BY SCOTT WRIGHT
Southmoore’s Wright anxious to get on field BY JUSTIN HARPER Staff Writer jharper@opubco.com
While Southmoore was having its breakthrough season last year — going 11-2 and reaching the Class 6A semifinals — TJ Wright could only watch from the sideline. "It was a weird feeling because I felt great about how we were playing and how we were winning," Wright said. "But knowing I couldn’t be a part of it on the field really hurt." Wright will get his chance to make up for lost time this season. The senior is one of numerous new starters who the SaberCats are expecting big things from. And with 17 starters gone from the 2009 club, new starters such as Wright will need to be difference makers. "A lot of people are going to know about TJ really fast," said
Southmoore star tailback Andrew Long. "TJ can hit. He rocked me in practice. I got up and thought I had a concussion. He hits us like that, so I’d hate to be on the other team." Wright had previously played linebacker, but has moved to the cornerback spot. He broke his collarbone in practice last year just as the season got going. "I’m comfortable at corner," he said. "I really wouldn’t care where I played, I’m so ready to get back on the field. It was tough sitting out." The injury didn’t keep Wright from having great success last year. In the spring he won a powerlifting state championship and set two state records. Competing in the 157pound class, Wright smashed the deadlift state record in his weight group by hoisting 530 pounds. He benched 285 and squatted 430, giving him a re-
cord total of 1,245 pounds. "He has tremendous strength," said Southmoore coach Chris Jensen. "And he’s shown a lot of desire to come back and do well in his senior season. He’s going to be a really good player for us." Long, a thousand-yard rusher as a sophomore who has 4.37 speed, and quarterback Kendal Thompson, who has already committed to play at the University of Oklahoma, will command the headlines. But players like Wright could determine if Southmoore continues to rank among the best in Class 6A. "We have a lot of players who we already know what they can do and who we know will be great for us," Wright said. "But to be a team like we had last year, we have to have a lot of guys be great who haven’t had their chance before now."
Southmoore’s Andrew Long, top, ran for over 1,000 yards last season. PHOTO BY
STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMAN